AMEX application unsuccessful

MishterTea

Hi all,

I applied for the AMEX platinum cashback card (for Christmas shopping) a couple of weeks ago. I felt my chances of successful application were high (nearly 2x required income, no credit cards, perfect mortage payment history, on electoral register..), they couldn't give me an instant decision online but a few days later I received a letter through the post stating my application was unsuccessful. Anyone else tried and failed recently? Are they tightening their belts? Or am I in the catch-22 scenario of not being able to obtain credit as I don't have any already (barring mortgage)?

About a week after receiving the letter I decided to check my credit history using 'checkmyfile'. Interestingly there are no credit searches on any of the 3 credit agencies. Is there a delay in credit searches appearing on here? Or is it it grounds for appeal?

Thanks,
- Rich

DipStick

I have heard - don't know if it's true - that if you have no credit record i.e. you have never had any loans etc that that can count against you. Also have heard that if you always pay off your existing CCs in full each month that can count against you: the CC companies want mugs who keep big balances and pay them loads of interest. Both may be urban myths though...

YorkshireBoy

MishterTea wrote: »

About a week after receiving the letter I decided to check my credit history using 'checkmyfile'. Interestingly there are no credit searches on any of the 3 credit agencies. Is there a delay in credit searches appearing on here? Or is it it grounds for appeal?

Order your £2 statutory reports directly from the CRA's, and you'll probably find that Amex have in fact searched Experian.

Waste of time, and money, using checkmyfile! Read the T&C's and the 'what's included' information on their website and you'll see that Experian searches are NOT recorded on a checkmyfile report.

Always read the small print.

DipStick

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Waste of time, and money, using checkmyfile! Read the T&C's and the 'what's included' information on their website and you'll see that Experian searches are NOT recorded on a checkmyfile report.

Makes you wonder what the point of checkmyfile is!

Sammy_Girl

Yep, Amex definitely search Experian straightaway. I remember checking my report the day after and it was on there. Are you on the elctoral roll at your current property as that always makes a huge difference.

MishterTea

Cheers for the info. Seems like the best thing to do is get my actual Experian report and see what that says. And never rely on checkmyfile again!

Are you on the elctoral roll at your current property as that always makes a huge difference.

Yep, that's one thing CMF could tell me..